Pritchard Hall

site map

UB Libraries --- University at Buffalo Archives: HOME --- UB HISTORY --- SOUTH CAMPUS --- PRITCHARD HALL

Pritchard Hall:

Former Name: Cooke Hall (1953-77)

Pritchard Hall is one of four matching dormitories (including MacDonald, Michael, and Schoellkopf halls) surrounding Kimball Tower that began UB's history as a residential college. It was originally built as a men's residence hall.

Namesake:

Mearl D. Pritchard (1900-1976) graduated from UB's School of Pharmacy in 1926. A pharmacist, prominent university alumnus and civic leader, he received the Samuel P. Capen Award in 1964.

Walter Platt Cooke (1869-1976) was a lawyer, financier and civic leader. He was the Chair of the University Council from 1920 to 1931 and received the Chancellor's Medal in 1926.


Cooke Resident Hall, now Pritchard Hall circa 1950s.

History and Chronology

  • 1952 -- Construction started on Cooke, MacDonald, and Schoellkopf halls.
  • 1952 -- (March 25) Groundbreaking ceremony
  • 1952 -- (November 5) Cornerstone ceremony
  • 1953 -- (November 15) Dedication of Cooke Hall
  • 1977 -- Cooke Hall was renamed Pritchard Hall after its name was transferred to a building on the North Campus.
  • 1992 -- (September) Pritchard Hall closes for the Fall semester because of the large amount of "no shows."

Building and Construction Information

Architects: James & Meadows
Contractors: BAW Construction Co., Inc.
Cost: $1.5 million (for all three dormitory buildings - MacDonald, Schoellkopf, and Cooke.)
Size: 37,719 sq. ft.

University Archives 420 Capen Hall - Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-2916 -- Fax: 716-645-3714
Email: lib-archives@buffalo.edu
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/units/archives/buildings/pritchard.html
Last updated 17 May 2004
Please note that all images used on this website are ©University Archives, State University of New York at Buffalo